Q&A

Ciao everyone, to my clients, potential clients & website guests alike.

Welcome to Mr. Travel Agent, LLC & thank you for taking the time for visiting today.

I have been working in the travel industry as a travel advisor for my entire adult life (since I was 20), and now I own my own Luxury Travel Agency, in Mr. Travel Agent, LLC. I'm the Owner, President & CEO.

It all started in '99 when I went for an interview at an Italian family owned and operated Italian Travel Agency in Pittsburgh's suburb of Mt. Lebanon. the owner of which who to this day is a very close & personal friend of mine, gave me a chance as a novice and very inexperienced, a position as a travel agent for his agency. I continued working for that agency for 12 years under the owner's tutelage & guidance, until 2012. During my tenure with, I became extremely well-traveled and an expert in Italy (Certified by the official Italian Tourism Office) and Europe (many other official certifications earned by tourism boards), among other international destinations. 6 years into my career in 2006, I was made the Agency Manager and ran the day-to-day operations, accounting, back office, as well as still being a full-time front office Travel Agent. This continued for an additional 6 years until 2012. In late 2012 the agency merged. At that time full time staff were offered a position with the merged agency to stay on or leave. I was the only agent who agreed on terms to go with the merger. I was the only advisor the agency who purchased us got out of the merger.

From 2012 to the end of 2018, I worked as the lead International Tourism Consultant & Specialist at the merged agency. Throughout those 6 years I became even more well traveled and picked up additional expert certifications and specializations in the field. At the very end of 2018, I was headhunted by an industry leading firm who scouts for agents ready to step into the luxury market. This firm informed me that a Virtuoso Agency in the Pittsburgh market was very interested in me, and was I possibly interested in making a big career move? At first I was hesitant and uncertain. Happy where I was and the compensation I was making on average. But this was an enticing opportunity to advance in this industry. I accepted the interview & was offered a full time position as a Luxury Travel Advisor for the Pittsburgh branch of Avenue Two Travel. I accepted this offer and started within 2 weeks in January of 2019. In May of 2022 I was offered the opportunity to become an affiliate agency of Avenue Two Travel. Becoming an affiliate agency actual meant creating my own agency and securing an LLC, brand, logo and more to launch the business. As of May 16th, 2022, Mr. Travel Agent, LLC has become my actual business, instead of just a online persona. I now full operate and own Mr. Travel Agent, LLC as a Luxury Travel Agency.

In addition at the same time (May 16th 2022), I have accepted the position as The US Sales Rep for www.dreamitaly.vip a full service Italian DMC based in Italy. Travel Advisors, Agencies & Tour Operators please reach out to me to enquire about becoming travel accounts.

I tailor 4 & 5 star global travel services of all type. While my specialty over the years has become more in the customization, designing & planning of travel, I handle all travel arrangements.

Throughout my career I have made connections with excellent local contacts worldwide for private guides, drivers, and exclusive service arrangements. I keep these contacts close to my vest, they are dear to me and have helped me get where I'm today. I've also met my wife because of my love for travel and together we enjoy traveling worldwide.

I love traveling and I love selling you your travel dreams. I'm just as excited as you are when I'm planning your amazing travel itineraries and vacations! It makes me happy to know you are happy with me and my services. I want nothing more than to make you a very satisfied client who will come back to me for their future travels and refer me to others.

My focus is you.

My clientele consist of those living in the Pittsburgh and surrounding area. Though I have clientele elsewhere in US as well. By moving into the luxury market I've secured millionaire clientele in the Manhattan & Pittsburgh markets. My clients are everyone from CEO's, Dr's, Lawyers, Family & Small Business Owners, Executives, Families, Couples, Friends, Retirees, Gen X, Baby Boomers, Honeymooners, Bride & Grooms & Millennial's.

Thank you for your interest, and please reach out to me to inquire about your travel arrangements and ideas.

Derek Schemonitz, Owner/CEO/President of Mr. Travel Agent, LLC

Your Luxury Travel Advisor